Crockpot summer recipes?

[Anonymous]

We will have family visiting for about a week. They would like to do all the touristy stuff which means we are not going to be home during the day to prep or cook dinner. I need some ideas for meals that can be prepared in the crock pot that are not heavy and children friendly. I was planning on tacos night, hamburger/hot dogs the other but what about other meals? TIA

[Anonymous]

Pulled BBQ chicken or pork

Just saw a recipe for felafel in the crock pot.

ideas that are not for the crock pot:

If you have time to cook the night before, how about a cold pasta salad?

Cold soups and sandwiches.

Italian sausages and grilled veggies.

[Anonymous]

My favorite pasta salad for a crowd is:

-2 containers of whole grain penne
-1 container of Costco pesto
-1 large container of cherry tomatoes, halved
-1 rotisserie chicken, chopped into pieces

Cook pasta, then drain and combine other ingredient. Enjoy leftovers for eons...

[Anonymous]

Cedar Planked Salmon
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/12/cedar-planked-salmon-cooked-in-crockpot.html
Chickpea Stew
http://www.cookincanuck.com/2011/03/crockpot-chickpea-stew-recipe-with-balsamic-caramelized-onions/
Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew

[Anonymous]

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/chicken_sweet_potato_stew.html

[Anonymous]

Not a crockpot recipe but might work in your situation:

In the summer, we have a LOT of tomatoes & basil in our garden, so I like to make a quick, fresh pasta dinner with them - just tomatoes, basil, olive oil & pasta.

I like to use a medium-size shape like gemelli for this, but you can also use thin spaghetti (which we call summertime spaghetti at our house) or whatever you like.

While the pasta is cooking, chop a bunch of tomatoes (don't bother with peeling or seeding, just roughly chop them) and put them in a bowl. Salt them and add some olive oil and a lot of torn fresh basil (you really must use fresh, not dried). When you drain the pasta, dump the tomatoes into the hot pot, put it back on the burner, and pour the drained pasta back in on top of it. Stir to heat through and wilt the basil a little; this just takes a minute or two. Add more olive oil if necessary, but the tomatoes should give enough juice so that it's not dry.

Remove to serving dish, serve with fresh parmesan, a nice loaf of crusty bread, and - most importantly - a glass of red wine. This is so fresh-tasting, fast & easy!

[Anonymous]

How about a white chicken chili? I love this recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/white-bean-chicken-chili/detail.aspx

If you look at the reviews, the second or third one down has directions for cooking it in a crockpot.

I know chili isn't everyone's idea of summer food, but I think soup is good anytime!

[Anonymous]

Bone in pork chops
Bottle of favorite BBQ sauce
Crock pot, low 8 hours
Serve over rice
Shockingly good and easy

[Anonymous]

I second the pulled pork BBQ. But a Boston Butt roast in the crockpot with as many sliced onions (and bell peppers if you like, which I do) as will fit. Dump a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce on top. If you like, as a little chipotle in adobo sauce for kick, and cook on low for 8-10 hours. I take out the roast, pull the meat, and remove the liquid to get rid of fat. Return the meat and onions to the crockpot, pour in some new BBQ sauce, and some of the defatted liquid. Great as pork BBQ with coleslaw, and later you can use it as the base of pork tacos.
Also freezes really well.

[Anonymous]

Another reason to marry money.